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Question for those going back to school

Posted: Jun 25, 2010

I have no college education save for a couple algebra classes I took for fun 20 years ago (I always was a bit of dork). At 51 years old, I have been doing MT for about 28 years. Out of high school I started in the kitchen of the local hospital, moved to a nurses' aide, and then moved to the hospital-trained transcription department, so I don't really have previous 'career' training.

Are any of you going back to school starting from scratch, so to speak? How do you decide what to go into? Since I'd have to go go part-time, it almost seems like I'd be 60 by the time I graduate, which means it would probably be a little late to start a career as an astronaut.

Also, back in the day they used to actually run commercials for a program they called KLEP that allowed you to get college credits toward a degree based on life experience/skills. I think now they call it 'challenging' a course. Has anyone actually done that, and how many were you able to successfully challenge?

I don't want to be the guy playing fiddle on the deck while the big ship sinks, so I appreciate any info.

;

CLEP (College Level Examination Program) tests are - still used. Gained 12 hours in CLEPs myself.

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

Yes - Chester

[ In Reply To ..]
I'm going to finish my BA with a minor in public health and then if I can get in somewhere do the Master's for Public Health. It relates very well with what you already know. The job opportunities are as numerous as MT's were 20 years ago. It is a varied field and any MT could find a niche there.

You're probably a better student than you think you are.

Returning to school - Again

[ In Reply To ..]
I returned to school when I was older and am back again for second bachelor's.

I have put in a link below to the CLEP, where you can assess your readiness to take those exams.

Don't really know how to help you decide what to train in--since I am a re-do myself. You might look to something specific like radiology tech or surgery tech at a community college as a way to get a job quicker, and then finish your bachelor's. Teaching? Teaching field seems to love people who had a career and then become teachers. If you like math, they're always looking for math and science teachers. Nursing? Community health and public health are good ideas, like previous poster said. Occupational therapy? Physical therapy? If you like numbers, accounting?

Going back to school is great no matter what your age. You won't be playing the fiddle on a sinking ship. Once you are at the university, you might find a job there, then get tuition reimbursement. Good luck.

61-year-old graduated from med school - anon

[ In Reply To ..]
That's the oldest so far. This was a couple of years ago. There have been people in their 70s graduating from law school. The median age of college students has gradually been climbing. My guess is as people live longer and healthier, the age will climb even higher. There was a lady at my school who got her BA at age 89. Of course, she died 10 years later at 99, and I'm sure there are some on this board who would say, "See. She shouldn't have gone back to school. She'll still be alive today." There are a lot of online courses now. Just pick a good accredited school:

For example:

http://www.extension.harvard.edu/default.jsp

this is very admirable. I guess she did it - see mess

[ In Reply To ..]
more for personal enrichment than for getting hired. Keeping yourr brian busy keeps one young, no matter what age.

IMO, hadn't she gone to college, she would have died earlier!

Thanks for the link!

P.S. I am talking about the 89-year-old ! - nm from see mess

[ In Reply To ..]
nm

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